Thyroid Pharmacology Flashcards

1
Q

Biosynthesis of thyroid hormones w/sites of antithyroid drug action (image)

A
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Characteristics of thyroid hormone biosynthesis

A
  1. uptake of iodine
  2. iodide organification
  3. coupling of TH precursors
  4. storage and release

simple overview of thyroid hormone biosynthesis: http://www.handwrittentutorials.com/videos.php?id=17

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Characteristics of iodine uptake in thyroid hormone biosynthesis

A
  • The major regulated step in the biosynthesis of TH is the uptake of I- (iodide ion) into the thyroid gland.
    • stimulated by TSH via Gs
    • blocked by anions of similar size such as SCN-, ClO4-, and I- itself.
  • High concentrations > 6 mg of I- cause decreased expression of transporter.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Characteristics of iodide organification in thyroid hormone biosynthesis

A
  • Iodide organification:
  • I- is oxidized and incorporated into tyrosine residues on…
  • thyroglobulin molecules 
(mono-[MIT] and di-iodinated [DIT] tyrosine) via thyroid peroxidase.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Characteristics of coupling of TH precursors in thyroid hormone biosynthesis

A
  • Coupling of TH precursors occurs on TG in a T4 / T3 ratio of 5:1. This process is also mediated via thyroid 
peroxidase.
  • MIT + DIT = T3 and
  • DIT + DIT = T4
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Characteristics of storage and release of thyroid hormones

A
  • TH is retrieved from storage in the lumen by pinocytosis
  • slowly released from gland by proteolysis in a T4:T3 ratio of 20:1.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of levothyroxine

A
  • Levothyroxine = Synthetic T4
    • (Treatment of choice)
  • Adv:
    • Stability, content uniformity, lack of allergenic foreign protein compared to Thyroid USP, low cost, long half-life compared to T3 allowing once-daily dosing, oral or IV
  • Disadv:
    • Narrow therapeutic index
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Advantages and disadvantages of liothyronine

A
  • Liothyronine = Synthetic T3
  • Adv:
    • Reasonable to add if symptoms persist on optimal levothyroxine therapy. Not generally recommended as long as deiodinase is functioning properly to convert T4 to T3
  • Disadv:
    • Short half-life, higher risk of cardiotoxicity, high cost, increases risk for osteoporosis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of Liotrix

A
  • Liotrix = 4:1 Mixture of T4 and T3
  • Adv
    • Rarely required, not recommended
  • Disadv
    • Expensive, no advantage since T4 conversion to T3 in periphery results in near normal ratio, may cause increased incidence of low TSH and increased markers of bone turnover.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Advantages and Disadvantages of thyroid USP

A
  • Thyroid USP = Thyroid extract from pigs
  • Adv
    • Less desirable than levothyroxine, but still suitable for clinical purposes.
  • Disadv
    • Variable T3/T4 ratio can cause unexpected toxicities, allergenic foreign protein can cause protein antigenicity, product instability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Thionamides: MOA

A
  • Prevents T3/T4 synthesis by blocking iodine organification and coupling of iodotyrosines.
  • At high doses prevents conversion of T4 to T3 in peripheral tissues.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Thionamides: Pharmacokinetics

A
  • Rapid absorption, crosses the placenta and concentrated by fetal thyroid, relatively short half-life.
  • Methimaxole is generally prefered because of efficacy at lower doses and lower side effect incidence.
  • Propylthiouracil (PTU) may be better in pregnancy because it crosses the placenta less readily than Methimaxole.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Thionamides: toxicities

A
  • Pruritic rash
  • gastric intolerance
  • arthralgias
  • agranulocytosis
  • hepatotoxicity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Iodides: MOA

A
  • At high doses they inhibit hormone synthesis via elevated intracellular iodide,
  • inhibit hormone release through inhibition of thyroglobulin proteolysis via elevated plasma iodide.
  • Inhibits conversion of T4→T3
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Iodides: Pharmacokinetics

A
  • Rapid effect, some patients show no response
  • rapid reversal of inhibitory effect when withdrawn
  • potential that the iodide may be used to produce new thyroid hormone and worsen hyperthyroidism
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Iodides: toxicities

A
  • Acneiform rash, rhinorrhea, metallic taste, swollen salivary glands.
  • Toxicity is uncommon and signs/ symptoms of toxicity are reversible.
  • Gland “escapes” iodide block in 2-8 weeks
17
Q

Radioactive iodine (131I): MOA

A
  • Concentrated in the thyroid.
  • β radiation causes a slow inflammatory process that destroys parenchyma of gland over weeks to months
  • major complication is hypothyroidism
18
Q

Radioactive iodine (131I): Pharmacokinetics

A

Rapidly absorbed but slow onset and time to peak effect

19
Q

Radioactive iodine (131I): Toxicities

A
  • Radiation thyroiditis = release of preformed thyroid hormone and can result in cardiovascular complications in elderly or susceptible patients
  • may cause worsening opthalmopathy, hypothyroidism
  • do not administer to pregnant or nursing women
20
Q

Treatment of Graves disease

A
  • Interfering with hormone production → thionamides, iodides
  • Modifying tissue response to improve symptoms → β-blockers, corticosteroids
  • Glandular destruction → surgery, radioactive iodine
21
Q

Characteristics of thyroid storm

A
  • Thyroid Storm is a sudden, acute exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis
  • may occur in a non-compliant, incomplete treated, or undiagnosed patient with hyperthyroidism who experiences an acute stress such as infection, surgery, or trauma
22
Q

Treatment of thyroid storm

A
  • Propranolol controls cardiovascular manifestations and blocks conversion of T4 to T3
  • Sodium iodide given IV or potassium iodide given as oral drops can be used to slow the release of hormones.
  • Propylthiouracil (PTU) can be used to block the synthesis of hormones and prevent the conversion of T4 to T3
  • Hydrocortisone is used to protect against shock, block conversion of T4 to T3, and may modulate the immune response that leads to exacerbation of thyrotoxicosis.
23
Q

Antithyroid drugs:

Risk of relapse following Tx

Safety in pregnancy

Risk of hypothyroidism and need for hormone replacement following Tx

Typical age group

Type of disease

A

High

Thionamides are treatment of choice in pregnancy. Propylthiouracil (PTU) is best.

Low

Young patients

Mild disease

24
Q

Radioactive Iodine (131I):

Risk of relapse following Tx

Safety in pregnancy

Risk of hypothyroidism and need for hormone replacement following Tx

Typical age group

A

Low

Contraindicated in Pregnancy

80%; Greatest risk in children

Most often patients > 21 but becoming more common in patients ≤ 20

25
Q

Subtotal thyroidectomy:

Risk of relapse following Tx

Safety in pregnancy

Risk of hypothyroidism and need for hormone replacement following Tx

Typical age group

Type of disease

A

Low

Can be utilized in second trimester if needed.

50-60%

All ages

Tx of choice if large gland; Rarely used today because radioactive iodine works so well.

26
Q
A